Current opinion in anaesthesiology
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Jun 2018
ReviewPreoperative fasting guidelines in pediatric anesthesia: are we ready for a change?
Study after study shows that prolonged fasting before anesthesia is common in children. Pediatric anesthesiologists around the world are concerned that the current guidelines may be part of the problem. This review focuses on what can be done about it. ⋯ Accumulating evidence indicates that changes of the current guidelines for preoperative fasting should be considered for children undergoing elective procedures. VIDEO ABSTRACT.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Jun 2018
ReviewDrug error in paediatric anaesthesia: current status and where to go now.
Medication errors in paediatric anaesthesia and the perioperative setting continue to occur despite widespread recognition of the problem and published advice for reduction of this predicament at international, national, local and individual levels. Current literature was reviewed to ascertain drug error rates and to appraise causes and proposed solutions to reduce these errors. ⋯ Medication errors in paediatric anaesthesia represent an important risk to children and most are avoidable. There is now an understanding of the genesis of adverse drug events and this understanding should facilitate the implementation of known effective countermeasures. An institution-wide commitment and strategy are the basis for a worthwhile and sustained improvement in medication safety.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Jun 2018
ReviewPeer support in anesthesia: turning war stories into wellness.
Peer support, a method of providing for the well being of healthcare providers following adverse or stressful events, is garnering increased attention in light of the increased prevalence and awareness of burnout, depression and suicidality in physicians. In this review, we will summarize the evolution of the 'second victim,' explore methods of support and examine how new regulatory requirements are changing the peer support landscape. ⋯ Effective and accessible peer support is developing in many departments nationwide and can only be expected to continue, given new regulatory requirements. As these programs develop, and research on their effect continues, best practices will likely emerge.
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Hysterectomy is a common surgical procedure with a low risk of major complications. However, some women experience long-lasting complications, including chronic postsurgical pain, which can have a negative impact on their quality of life. This review aims to present the recent literature on chronic pain following hysterectomy for benign indications. ⋯ Chronic pain may occur after hysterectomy. Preoperative screening tools, including psychological screening for depression and anxiety, may identify women at risk of developing chronic postsurgical pain, and future studies should examine perioperative interventions aimed at preventing the development of chronic pain after hysterectomy.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Jun 2018
ReviewOccupational stress, burnout and personality in anesthesiologists.
There is a growing awareness of the problem of occupational stress and burnout among anesthesiologists. Occupational stress was found to be related to burnout, a process that is supposed to be moderated by personality. This article will discuss the topic of stress and burnout in relationship to anesthesiologists' personality based on recent literature. ⋯ Strategies to alleviate stress and hence the development of burnout should not only be directed at adapting occupational or organizational factors but also at equipping anesthesiologists with psychological tools to deal with occupational stress. Furthermore, personality traits that predispose for development of burnout could be taken into consideration in resident selection procedures.